D-Backs Profit Off Ohtani's Dominance

The Arizona Diamondbacks are strategically selling Shohei Ohtani-related items at Chase Field during the Los Angeles Dodgers' visit, turning on-field performance into off-field profit. A ball hit by Ohtani for a two-run triple is available for $10,000, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the D-Backs Foundation. Another ball from an Ohtani double sells for $2,000.

This move counters narratives about the Dodgers potentially harming baseball, demonstrating instead their significant economic benefit to other franchises. The Dodgers consistently lead MLB in road attendance, averaging 36,253 fans per game in 2024 and tracking to exceed that in 2026.

On the field, however, the Diamondbacks are struggling against the Dodgers. Los Angeles swept Arizona earlier in the 2026 season and has taken two of three games in the current series. Ohtani has been a dominant force, excelling both as a hitter and a pitcher.

As a hitter this week, Ohtani is 8-for-12 with 11 times reaching base in 15 plate appearances. On Wednesday, he pitched six shutout innings, lowering his season ERA to an exceptional 0.74. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo praised Ohtani as "freakish" and "the best player I've ever seen."

Ohtani is not in the lineup on Thursday to rest but remains available for pinch-hitting situations, offering a potential last chance for fans to acquire a game-used souvenir. This series underscores the Dodgers' status as a must-see attraction, benefiting MLB's overall market.